To Capture a Captain's Heart (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Ulfric exaggerates because he's the one who put me in charge and he likes me. If not for him, my title would've gone to one of my male cousins or a regent jarl," she shook her head at the thought. In Olaf's time, the only reason the other, older female jarl had been in place was because her husband had died and she had no male heirs. Sajal having been appointed while Olaf was away, he'd never had a chance to remove her.

"Back home... things aren't going well," Sajal finally admitted, glancing to Durban as she lowered her voice a little more. "I... I think my cousin is trying to take over my hold. And I think he's trying to use my family against me. I didn't let news of it get out, after all that's been going on, but... one night not long after Monomakh came to Trondheim, a group of men broke their way into my home and..." She couldn't finish the sentence. "... Before they left, they told me I wasn't fit to be a jarl, that my cousin Thoran should be in my place. My informants agree with me, we all think Thoran sent those men."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla's smile faded as she was told the story of what had happened to this poor woman who was simply trying to fulfill her duties to her father's memory. She, of all people, knew what it felt like to be taken against her will, made to feel as if you weren't good enough to do your job.

"While I might not understand exactly how people operate in this country, I will promise you that something like this will never happen again." Kayla said, turning towards her desk to pull out a piece of paper and her royal seal.

Writing a simple note on it, she folded the paper and sealed it with her wax stamp, turning to hand it to the woman who was waiting so patiently. "You are to take this to Joakim Jakobsson at the garrison. He is one of my trusted guardsmen. He will be escorting you back home with a group of guards and he will not leave until this threat is over with. If anyone questions him, he is there on his queen's authority."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sajal looked down at the note and then back at Kayla. The surprise on her face said volumes about how little she'd ever expected Kayla to care- another remnant of Olaf's reign. "I... thank you, milady. I will keep you updated on what happens. I'll show you and my people that I'm worthy of your support." She rose and bowed her head. "Thank you for your time." She turned and stepped past Durban, who nodded to her on her way.

 

[heartofcourage]

"They should all hang for treating her like that." Kayla said softly to her brother as the door closed behind the young woman. "I have half a mind to send Christopher and Ulfric to finish that threat, in fact."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Let 'er show ''em she's in control an' capable," Durban insisted, coming to join Kayla's side. "If she can convince men who doubt an' belittle an' use her, she can make an example tha' others'll respect. If it doesn't work... Let her do the punishing. It's her fight, an' her hold."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla nodded, looking up at her big brother with a long sigh. "Ruling with a soft heart is never the best idea, is it?"

She stood from her seat and wrapped him up in a tight hug. "I'm happy you stayed. I'll have to make it up to everyone in your family, but I couldn't do this without you, Durban."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ask Brogan," Durban chuckled at her question. Wrapping her up in that familiar bear hug, he kissed her forehead. "Don' worry about them. Marri an' I 'ave 'ad lots o' practice at bein' apart fer the sake o' work an' survival. An' I'm glad t'help."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's a saint, Durban. I don't know of many other women who would put up with half of the things that you put her through." Kayla said as he said that he and Marri had been through a lot for the sake of their survival. "I'm sending the two of you on a trip alone to make up for this. No questions asked, either. You can't stop me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Do I look like I'm tryin' t'stop you?" He asked with a chuckle. "Come on, lass. Duty calls an' I 'ave some things t'discuss with Kjotva."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm glad you've learned that lesson." Kayla said with a grin as he ushered her back out of the office and towards the great hall. "It only took your entire life to learn that living with a thick head will only bring you pain."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hardly. I jus' won' say no to a free second honeymoon," Durban insisted with a handsome grin. Marri would have a hard time saying no too.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla chuckled as her brother insisted that he wouldn't say no to another honeymoon. Once they entered the great hall, everyone quietly went back to the task of running the kingdom and ensuring that a future attack would not tear them apart. The jarls that needed it were promised extra support by land and by sea if possible. Food would also be given to those that were in danger of being involved in a siege.

Durban didn't leave her side until she was safely back in her apartments that evening. Ufric had insisted that the rooms be searched each time she entered just in case an assassin lie in wait. In spite of the great danger that she face, Kayla felt at peace.

As she walked into the bedroom, she paused as she saw her husband already there, sitting on the side of their bed with an exhausted look on his face. "I have been working you too hard, captain."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not you. Novgorod, specifically," he murmured, laying back without bothering to take off his uniform.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We made the right decision, Chris." Kayla said as she crawled onto the bed beside him, not missing an opportunity to be next to her husband. "We might be paying for it now, but we certainly made the right choice."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're preaching to the choir, love," Chris assured her with a smile and a kiss when she came close. "I have no regrets. It's just a tough road that I'm still not used to yet."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think you've done a beautiful job." Kayla said softly after her husband had kissed her gently. "And now that Durban is here acting as my guard, it should be a load off your mind."

She knew that her husband had worried about her. He might not have said it in so many words, but he wanted to make sure that she was as safe as she could possibly be.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As much as I'd trust that man with everything important to me and my own life, nothing ever stops me from worrying about you. It's more than just my job." He let an arm drape about her middle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're a hopeless romantic, Chris." Kayla said softly, her head resting on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her tightly. "I wake up every morning thankful that you are my husband. You've made me deliriously happy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I do try, but I think you're just far too kind," Chris insisted. "You always know how to make me feel loved and wanted."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's my job, love." Kayla said, turning to kiss Christopher's cheek, a knock sounding at their door. "And while I would love to spend hours having you ravish me right now, I have a surprise for you."

She rolled off the bed, opening the door for the servants to come in with a small feast. Once it was set up, she looked to Christopher as the smells of lamb and rabbit filled the air along with hearty cabbage and potatoes.

"I have them make you an Irish feast."

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher sat up and watched the servants set everything up with a rather amused look. Once they were all gone, Christopher looked to Kayla. "What's the occasion, love?

 

[heartofcourage]

"Nothing. Just a thank you for everything that you have done for me." Kayla said with a smile as Christopher asked her what the occasion was. "Am I not allowed to spoil my husband from time to time?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I haven't done anything that needs gratitude, Kayla. I do it as much for myself as for you," Christopher insisted. "But I appreciate it, love. More than you know."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know, but I still want to do it." She murmured, giving him a kiss before she pulled him towards the table that had been filled with food. "And to give you a little piece of home since you have given me so much recently."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It was a little selfish," Christopher admitted with a grin. "I missed your family too. They and the Monaghans were always closest to me."